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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Master Painters of India, 1100–1900

Yesterday was preview day at the Met. The Mets new Indian Painting exhibit opens tomorrow. 200 examples of exquisite small qouache paintings. And not to be missed!

You want to dress 'Indian' - magnifying glasses are provided.

The only other place you'll see this exhibit is Zurich - it was a 2 year collaborative effort. Examples range from worldwide collections including the Queen and Windsor Castle. A perfect portrait of Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal painted on horseback.

An unfinished miniature reveals the stages of creation.

A film shows how.So many watercolor papers are still made in India.

The original pigments used, many saved in clamshells.

I spent time in India in the fashion biz and fell in love with miniatures - Kumar Gallery let me sit in a back room and go through stacks of painted papers - this is my mini collection.

The Maharana and I chatted about miniatures and he invited me to view his private collection after the party. His paintings were protected by two stuffed tigers emerging from either side of the gallery walls.

'You must go past the tigers,' he commanded.

He served me Indian Champagne...

The clock struck midnight...

'I have to go.' I said.

'Ah, you are afraid of me,'

'YES' and ran out the door.

I still get invitations to the annual awards ceremony in March from the kind Maharana.

Whaaaat!? Some art loving Indian Maharanatrying to steal your affections away from me, after all these years?!Well at least his exquisite taste was not limited to art.Wonderful colorful post, Carol. It would be fun to experiment with Indian papers.

I studied the Mugal period of art work and I really enjoyed Shah Jahan's ideas of art, especially in his palace. I did an essay comparing Babur, Shah Jahan and Shah Abbas ideas of art.Thanks for sharing!

He invted you to see his private collection?? Good grief, Carol, please get some pepper spray!As to the art - I think the Moghal on horseback is the best.What other careers have you had? I can't keep up.

You have many layers of facts and fun that just keep peeling away here. :)) Just when we think we've heard it all you come up with more. Love it! This is a great show. Love the colors. Really like the second one with the woman holding the big pink flowers.

I have been thinking about painting with gouache for awhile lately. this post inspired me to get them out. I'd bought a pack of 5"x5" aqua boards Which I have never tried so will do a miniature. I live the one of the Mughal on his paint steed! I had a horse that coloring whose name was Prince.wish you could have gotten a photo of the stuffed tigers coming out of the wall! but you escaped the clutches of perhaps the real tiger?

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♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5 and I'm still at it. Now I live by the Seine on l'Ile Saint-Louis. Do consider subscribing to my Paris letters and maps on Etsy and enjoy a taste of Paris in your mailbox every month to savor with a hot chocolate and croissant. I paint Paris dreams.